I read the posts on McNally and Cobra GPS.

I have the rand mcnally tnd 700 and like it 50% of the time for the truckstop/destinations feature, but the main functions like routing are wrong/out of the way the other 50% of the time and its slow as heck.

There needs to be better devices and/or HUGE improvements in current ones.

 

I've used the 265W, the 660, the 755 at various times in my tractor. I like the TND 700 far more. I haven't used the Cobra. Yes, there may be some problems which have surfaced in individual units, but bear in mind that there have been thousands of those units sold, and you were reading a thread which represents a small fraction of total users. And within that thread, only a percentage of those posting had actual, serious problems WHICH RM CUSTOMER SERVICE WORKS HARD TO RESOLVE, and has mostly achieved. Plus you need to keep this fact in mind: Regardless of whether a forum is a public meeting, or on the internet (like here on the TruckersReport), you will always have an over-representation of folks with complaints providing feedback, than those who are perfectly satisfied and happy. It is a given that those satisfied with a product, or the state of affairs with their personal living situation, are going to be less inclined to participate on a forum, than those who are dissatisfied or who have an axe to grind. The same is true with the forum on the RM TND 500 and 700.

Now, I am not trying to talk you into buying a TND 500 or 700, or a Cobra unit. I'm NOT trying to talk you out of buying and using an 4-wheeler dedicated GPS. I am just balancing your subjective claim that there is something so wrong with the RM or Cobra units, that the 4-wheeler GPS is a superior product. They are not.

What a 4-wheeler GPS is, is adequate. It is adequate when coupled with the RM atlas, and is certainly much cheaper than a commercial vehicle GPS. But from my experience, I have found my TND 700 to be a goodly step above adequate in both routing, on-board tools and configurations, volume, and ease of seeing the screen. Confirming routing with my atlas goes much quicker. And I have not been let down on restricted routing, be it low clearences, hazmat, or street restrictions. I won't go into more detail than that about my opinion of the TND, because there is a whole thread dedicated to those units.

As was mentioned to you in another thread, there is no 'perfect' trucker GPS.... but in my mind, they offer a lot more convenience, and heads-up information, than a 4-wheeler GPS. BUT, if I were on a tight budget I would probably go with a 4-wheeler GPS until I could save my pennies. But if I had the money, I wouldn't hesitate to buy a RM unit, knowing what I know now. Each trucker needs to decide for themselves whether or not there is enough value offered by a commercial vehicle GPS to lay out the bucks for one. But in my opinion, I don't see reliability to be an issue when making such a buying decision.

 

I will add my input here. It is on neither the RM or Cobra. I have an ALK PC Miler Navigator 430. One of the first ones to come out. I got mine only a few months after they came on the market. I have applied the '09 system update which included a map update as well. I just ordered the new 2010 SD card map and system update for $44. I would never have ordered the update unless it was worthwhile for me to keep the unit.

So, my little spiel about the Navigator 430. I like the touchscreen, it works well and has not let me down. The 430 only has a 4.3" screen which is a little small at times. I have adjusted what is shown to maximize the map info. The menus are well laid out and easy to navigate. Setup is easy.
I run oversize, hazmat, and regular on open decks so I have used the routing for these quite a bit. So far it has never put me down a restricted road or under a low bridge. That being said, if you miss a turn it can sometimes take a little longer than I would like to recalculate. There are times that you can be by the next turn when it wants you to turn there. Not a big deal if you pay attention to your surroundings as we all should.
The '09 version did not have some features I would like and some that would be nice to personalize. It would be nice to be able to setup how long you want to run in a day and have it work out an optimized stop for the end of day along with fuel stops.
I would LOVE to see an AM/PM as well as what DATE the ETA is for. Running OTR it would be nice to have that at your fingertips to tell my dispatcher as an estimate.
It does not seem to have many fuel stops that I use in Canada. Not a surprise as so far none of the units I've seen do. It also is missing (as of '09 maps) some roads that have been finished for about 5 or more years. I don't mean local roads either. I mean major highway routes.
The addressing function could be better. It is lacking in areas. Not a surprise since ALK is making all of their own maps from scratch and not licensing the maps from an existing source.
Not seeing user added POI's on the moving map automatically is a little bit of a pain. Oh, and for some reason ALK has virtually EVERY exit and entrance ramp listed as "Truck Services". This is a PITA since when you search for Truck Services I want to find fuel/service/parts that type of thing. Not the next off ramp.
I would also like an automatic day/night brightness feature that switches with the time zones as you drive. Mine stays on my home time and changes according to that time zone. You can manually change the time zone as you enter them. It is not convenient though.

All in all, I am happier with the actual truck GPS and map updates than I ever was with a 4 wheeler GPS. One thing is the restriction warnings and toll warnings. Those are a valuable part right there. Match it with a current truck atlas and anyone should be good to go.

 

Hello everyone , I was wondering if there was a site like mapquest specifically just for truck drivers and if so what is it ? Because $399 for a nuvi is kinda steep for anyone let alone a fresh newbie trying to make a living in these hard times days. I appreciate anyones input. Thanks

 

Not that I'm aware of. However, you have the comercial vehicle atlas, AKA Rand McNally, which will allow you to look at mapquest or google or whatever online mapping you so choose, and then check for restrictions based on load and other truck parameters.

 

Microsoft Streets and Trips they even have a add on for truckers. Ask rollovertheorigional I beleive he uses this program




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